Simple Homemade Pasta Recipe
To start, here’s a quick recipe for homemade pasta:
The Perfect Ratio
- 1 large egg : 1 cup flour : 1-2 tablespoons of water
- Serves 1
- Use this ratio to scale your recipes up for larger servings
Instructions
On a clean kitchen counter surface or pastry board, mound the flour and make a large well in the center (enough to hold the eggs)
- Carefully crack the eggs into the center of the well
- Whisk the eggs using a fork, adding a little bit of the surrounding flour into the center with each swirl
- Using your hands, work the remaining flour into the egg mixture to form the dough.
- For long noodles, you’ll want your dough to be slightly wet, so add water if needed. For noodles that will be cut into shapes, keep the dough a little slightly “crumblier”, almost the consistency of pie dough.
- Form the dough into a smooth sphere
- Portion the dough into manageable pieces (depending on your equipment). Begin feeding the dough into your pasta machine or cut the dough using an extruder/pasta-making attachment.
Equipment Checklist
Here are some handy tools and equipment that will help you when making your pasta at home:
Pasta Maker
There are many different types of pasta makers, both hand-cranked and electric. The pasta maker’s job is to roll the dough into an even and consistent thickness (depending on the pasta you’re making). After the desired thickness is reached, you can cut and shape your dough.
Pasta Extruder
A pasta extruder is a tool used to form and cut pasta. There are several kits and attachments for electric mixers that allow you to make all sorts of fun shapes.
Pasta Drying Rack
A pasta drying rack resembles a mini-clothes line, and it’s used similarly. If you’re looking to dry and store your handmade noodles for later use, these really come in handy.
Extras
You can find all sorts of fun tools to play with when it comes to homemade pasta. Fluted pasta cutters, ravioli presses, and pasta wheels for cutting decorative edges into your noodles help to add some flair!
Chef Tips
There are a few other pointers to keep in mind to create the perfect pasta dish:
Flour Power
The type of flour you use in making pasta is very important. All-purpose flour is an acceptable ingredient, as well as whole wheat flour. However, semolina flour is the most authentic when making pasta. If you can find a semolina blend or semolina flour “00”, you’ll be set.
“00” stands for the grind size used when milling the wheat into flour. The resulting flour is smaller and smoother, giving great texture and structure to your noodles.
Try to avoid using pastry or cake flour when making pasta. These flours have a ratio of protein and gluten that are great for crumbly baked goods but disastrous for springy noodles.
Add Some Flavor
There are countless options when it comes to flavoring your noodles—black pepper, garlic, basil, truffles, beets, spinach, squid ink…you name it! Feel free to experiment with any combination. Simply add these flavorful additions when making the dough.
The rule of thumb for wetter ingredients (spinach, beets, and squid ink for example) is to reduce or remove the additional liquid. You want these “wet” ingredients to act as your water, but you may need to add more flour to compensate. Also, be sure to puree or finely chop larger ingredients in a food processor before adding them in. Big chunks will lead to messy noodles when you’re trying to cut or shape them.
For dry spices or seasonings, simply incorporate them into the pasta dough and flour. You may need to adjust the water to round out the dough, depending on the ingredients you use.
Fresh vs. Dry Pasta
The fresh vs. dry debate comes into play based on how soon you want to enjoy your homemade pasta creations.
- If you’re planning on eating your pasta right away, there is no need to dry the noodles. Just pop them right into a pot of boiling water before you’re ready to eat.
- If you’re making noodles for later, it’s best to dry your noodles. Simply toss your noodles with a little extra flour. For long noodles, hang them using your pasta drying rack. For shaped noodles, evenly place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Dry your noodles (long or shaped) for 12-24 hours, and try to do so on a day where humidity is low. Alternatively, you can store fresh noodles in the freezer for up to 3 months in well-sealed zipper bags.
Noodle Cook Time
- Fresh Noodles: 2-3 minutes
- Frozen Fresh Noodles: 3-5 minutes
- Dried Noodles: 4-7 minutes (longer for shaped noodles)
The Perfect Pasta Sauce
Even scratch cooking can have a couple of shortcuts. Consider partnering your homemade pasta with some traditional imported Italian pasta sauces from Tantillo Foods! Each sauce is crafted using only the freshest ingredients and made in the old-world style of low slow simmering to develop the very best flavor. It’s perfect for your meal!
Pomodoro Pasta Sauce
Pomodoro is a flavorful sauce that can be used for many dishes. Fresh Parma tomatoes are slowly simmered with basil, garlic, onions, olive oil and perfectly seasoned with flaky sea salt to create this sauce. Pasta Pomodoro is perfect for a quick-fix meal or as a side dish for those traditional Sunday suppers! |
Arrabiata Pasta Sauce
This zesty, spicy Arrabiata sauce is the perfect companion to any side or seafood-forward pasta dish. A peppery combination of hot chilies and cracked black pepper round out the slow-simmered tomatoes, and it’s further seasoned with a touch of fresh basil, garlic, and flaky sea salt. |
Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
Tomato basil is one of the most adaptable pasta sauces. It truly pairs perfectly with everything from chicken parmesan to homemade meatballs. Give it a try with your freshly-made pasta! |
Vodka Pasta Sauce
Rich, flavorful vodka sauce provides a creamy mouthfeel that’s perfect for a rustic noodle dish. If you’re looking to create a hearty meal, this is the sauce you should go with! |
More From Tantillo Foods
Learning how to make homemade pasta is simple when you have the right tools and ingredients! Keep in mind that Tantillo Foods offers a full range of delicious food products for use in all of your favorite Italian dishes. Shop online to find a collection of high-quality cooking oils, imported pasta sauces, artisanal pastas, and more!
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